Stat Pack: Alex Smith Now, Colin Kaepernick Later

If it was guaranteed that the 49ers would face a quarterback controversy this season, it seemed impossible that it would involve a team that owns a 104.84 Offensive Passer Rating. Nevertheless, that's the case as the 49ers bring their 7-2-1 record into New Orleans for a rematch of last year's phenomenal battle in the NFC Divisional Round.

After Colin Kaepernick blazed the Bears' league-best pass defense with a 133.06 Offensive Passer Rating, it seems like Jim Harbaugh is ready to start him over Alex Smith, who currently owns a 104.06 rating of his own. It seems like Harbuagh might put his team in a real pickle, given the last Super Bowl champions to make a quarterback switch based on performance was the 2000 Ravens.

As host Adam Dobrowolski explains in this episode of "Stat Pack" on CHFF, Smith makes the best short-term option, while Colin Kaepernick makes the best long-term option. Dobrowolski points to the facts, including Smith's horrific record when the 49ers allow 24 points or more.

Also in this episode, Dobrowolski discusses which quarterback possibly threw his last meaningful pass as an NFL starter, which coach ended his team's playoff hopes with a poor personnel choice and which player made a Randy Moss-like breakout on Thanksgiving.

Furthermore, he provides some extra Mathletics from one Thanksgiving games, as well as his top six teams through Thanksgiving and his top six matchups for Week 12.

There's no need to determine who the hot hand is here. The flame is always burning on "Stat Pack."

Reference:For those who are interested in checking out bits and pieces of this week's podcasts, every edition will include a "playlist" of sorts breaking down every segment from the podcast.

0:00 to 28:20 -- Six Pack of Statements

0:55 -- Why Colin Kaepernick makes the best long-term option for the 49ers